Why do we Need a Pacific Regional Human Rights Commission?

Abstract

This article discusses the need for a Pacific regional human rights mechanism. The author favours a regional human rights commission established by a Pacific human rights charter. The article canvasses previous attempts to set up a regional mechanism and explains why these initiatives failed. Advantages of a regional mechanism are explained, with an emphasis on the Pacific region's need for a common initiative. Finally, practical challenges and strategies involved in implementing a regional human rights mechanism are explored.